Adjustable mandrel

ABSTRACT

An adjustable mandrel is provided particularly suited for winding square or rectangular coils of wire, the mandrel having elongated angle corner elements with interior cammed actuation selectively actuated from one end of the mandrel for size adjustment and for retraction for coil removal.

United States Patent Inventor Francis J. McCabe P.O. Box I31. Penns Park Pa. 18943 ApplNo. 831,910

Filed June 10, 1969 Patented June 22, 1971 ADJUSTABLE MANDREL 9 Claims, 10 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 242/721, 242/1 10.2

Int. Cl a. B65h 75/24 Field oiSearch 242/1 10.1,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 581.303 4/1897 Prankard .6 242/1102 2,920,837 1/1960 Wingard.... 242/721 3104,1349 9 1963 Bond 242/721 Primary Examiner-George F. Mautz Assistant Examiner-Gregory A. Walters AIt0rney-Zachary T. Wobensmith, ll

PATENTEU JUN22 ISYI sngn 1 0H1 INVENTOR FRANCIS J. McCABE' ATTORNEY PATENTEUJUHEZIQYI 356 254 sum 3 0r 4 INVENTOR FRANCIS J. MQCABE By QiQQM A T TOR/V5 Y PATENTEU'JUH22 I97! 3Q 586254 saw u or 4 7 INVENTOR FRANC/S J. MCCABE A TTORNEY ADJUSTABLE MANDREL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to adjustable mandrels for coil winding and more particularly to such mandrels having elongated mandrel corner elements which are adjustable to provide a square or rectangular support.

2. Description of the Prior Art Various adjustable or-expansible mandrels have heretofore been proposed but most of these are unsuited for winding of relatively heavy and wide coils, or were lacking in strength and the desired range of adjustability or had other defects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention an adjustable mandrel is provided for winding coils and the like having elongated mandrel corner elements selectively movable in pairs toward and away from each other by control cams manually or otherwise actuated from one end of the mandrel, the mandrel being particularly suited for winding heavy square or rectangular wire coils such as those used in electrical transformers.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide an adjustable mandrel which is simple and rugged in construction, which can be quickly and easily expanded to the desired size for use and which can be quickly and easily contracted for removal of a finished coil.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an adjustable mandrel which is independently adjustable as to size in transverse directions normal to each other.

Other objects and advantageous features of the invention will be apparent from the description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The nature and characteristic features of the invention will be more readily understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part thereof, in which:

FIG. I is a side elevational view of the adjustable mandrel of the present invention in one orientation thereof and with the elongated mandrel corner elements in contracted positions in both transverse directions;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the mandrel in the orientation of FIG. 1 as seen from the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2A is an end view as seen from the line 2A-2A of FIG. 2, The mandrel corner elements being shown in expanded positions in dotted lines;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 2 but showing expansion of the mandrel corner elements in one transverse direction;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the interior control mechanism for the mandrel, the elongated mandrel corner elements being omitted;

FIG. 5 is a view inperspective of a portion of the control mechanism for'the mandrel, the elongated mandrel corner elements, the side channels and their cams being omitted for purposes of explanation;

FIG. 6 is an end elevational view of the structure of FIG. 5 as seen from the line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a transverse sectional view, taken approximately on the line 7-7 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a transverse sectional view, taken approximately on the line 8-8 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view, enlarged, taken approximately on the line 9-9 of FIG. 3.

It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawings herein are illustrative merely and that various modifications and changes can be made in the structure disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views.

2 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the mandrel is shown generally at 10 with an end support 11 of conventional type and which may be a rotatable faceplate driven by a shaft 12, and an opposite end support 13 which may be a tail stock.

The mandrel 10 preferably includes longitudinally extending elongated angle corner elements 15, 16, 17 and 18 and a transverse end frame plate 20 with spaced parallel arms 21 and a central opening 22.

The corner elements 15 and l 6,'and 17 and 18, respectively are similar but of opposite hand.

The corner elements 15 and 16 each has a straight uninterrupted flange 24 and a cammed flange 25 extending therefrom.

The cammed flanges 25, at the head ends, have slotted guides 26 secured thereto in any desired manner such as by studs 27, with slots 28 engaging over the arms 21 and permitting movement in perpendicular directions of the corner elements 15 and 16 but preventing longitudinal movement.

The corner elements 17 and 18 each has a straight uninterrupted flange 24 and a cammed flange 29 extending therefrom.

The cammed flanges 29, at the head ends, have slotted guides 26 secured thereto engaging over the arms 21.

lnteriorly of thecorner elements 16 and 17 on one side and the corner elements 15 and 18 on the other side, longitudinally extending channels 30 are provided. The channels 30, on the outer faces of their webs, have spaced inclined cam plates 31 secured thereto, such as by screws 32. The cam plates 31 act by their engagement with spaced inclined camming margins 33 on the cammed flanges 25 to cause the corner elements 15 and 16 to move outwardly and inwardly upon relative longitudinal movement of the channels 30 and the corner elements 15 and 16.

The channels 30, on the outer faces of their webs, have spaced oppositely inclined cam plates 34 secured thereto, such as by screws 35. The cam plates 34 act with spaced inclined camming margins 36 on the cammed flanges 29 to cause the corner elements 17 and 18 to move outwardly and inwardly upon relative longitudinal movement of the channels 30 and the comer elements 17 and 18.

The cam plates 31 and 34, as illustrated in detail in FIG. 9, preferably have tongues 38 slidably engaged in grooves 39 in the margins 33 and 36 to hold the channels 30 and corner elements 15, l6, l7 and 18 in assembled relation.

An interior frame 45 (see FIG. 5) is provided having longitudinal frame plates 46 and 47 secured to and held in separated relation by longitudinal frame plates 48 and 49, and end blocks 44 and 37. The end block 37 can serve as a driving connection for the mandrel.

The frame plate 48 has a groove 50 for the slidable Transverse movement of a cam plate 51 which is secured to the inner face of the web of the contiguous channel 30, the cam plate 51 having an angularly disposed cam face 52.

The frame plate 48 has a groove 53 for the slidable transverse movement of a guide plate 54 which is secured to the contiguous channel 30. The guide plate 54 can carry stop pins 55 e0 engage the frame plate 48 and limit the outward movement thereof.

The frame plate 48 has a groove 56 for the slidable transverse movement of a cam plate 57 which is secured to the contiguous channel 30, the cam plate 57 having an angularly disposed cam face 58.

The other channel 30 has a cam plate 60 secured to the inner face of the web thereof, the cam plate 60 having an angularly disposed cam face 61.

The frame plate 49 has a groove 62 for the slidable transverse movement of a guide plate 63 which is secured to the inner face of the web of the other channel 30. The guide plate 63 can carry stop pins 64 to engage the frame plate 49 and limit the outward movement thereof.

The frame plate 49 has a groove 66 for the slidable transverse movement of a cam plate 67 which is secured to the other channel 30. the cam plate 67 having an angularly disposed cam face 68.

The frame plate 48 can have a groove 69 for the reception of part of the guide plate 63 and the frame plate 49 can have a groove 74 for the reception of part of the guide plate 54, in the retracted positions of the channels 30. v

Within the interior of the interior frame 45 a longitudinally movable cam bar 70, is provided. The cam bar 70 can be relieved as at 64a and at 550 for movement of the stop pins 64 and 55.

The cam bar 70 has an end actuating block 71 in slidable engagement with the frame plates 46 and 47 and moved by a threaded stud 72 in engagement in a threaded opening 73 in the actuating block 71. The stud 72 is journaled in the end block 44. The stud 72 is rotatable by an actuating head 75 engageable by a wrench (not shown) from adjustment. A clamp screw 81 can be provided for holding the stud 72 in adjusted position.

The stud 72 can serve as the support for the mandrel in the tail stock 13.

The cam bar 70 has an inclined cam face 76 engaged with the cam face 61, an inclined cam face 77 engaged with the cam face 52, a transverse face 78 which by engagement with the guide plate 54 provides a limit stop, an inclined cam face 79 engaged with the cam face 68, and an inclined cam face 80 engaged with the cam face 58.

The interior frame 45 is slidably mounted at one end between longitudinally extending guide brackets 82 and 83 (see FIG. which are secured to the end frame plate 20, so that the frame 45 is movable into and partially through the opening 22.

The frame plate 46 has a draw rod 84 slidably mounted thereon in guides 85 which are secured to the frame plate 46. One end of the draw rod 84 is secured in a socket 86 in the bracket 82. The other end of the draw rod 84 is internally threaded for the reception of a threaded draw bolt 87 which is in threaded engagement in an abutment block 88. The abutment block 88 is secured to the frame plate 46. The bolt 87 has an actuating end 89 which may have a socket for a wrench (not shown).

The mode ofoperation will now be pointed out.

Assume that the mandrel is in the retracted position as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 2A.

lf, now it is desired to separate the elongated corner elements l6 and 17 as a unit transversely from the corner units and 18, this can be readily accomplished.

Upon turning the actuating head 75 in the proper direction, as determined by the hand of the thread on the stud 72, the stud 72 will draw the end actuating block 71 away from the end frame plate 20. The engagement of the cam face 52 with the cam face 77, and the cam face 58 with the cam face 80 will tend to move the channel 30 (shown at the left in FIG. 4) outwardly and the engagement of the cam face 76 with the cam face 61 and the cam face 79 with the cam face 68 will move the other channel 30 (shown at the right in FIG. 4), outwardly.

Upon the outward movement of the channels 30, the pairs of corner elements 15, 18, and 16, 17 carried thereby are moved apart to the extent determined by the turning of the head 75.

Either before or after the separation previously described of the corner elements 15, 18 and 16, 17, it may be desired to separate the pair of corner elements 15, 16 from the pair of comer elements 17, 18. This can be readily accomplished.

Upon turning of the actuating end 89 of the draw bolt 87 in the proper direction, as determined by the hand of the thread on the bolt 87, the end of the interior frame 45, supported by the guide brackets 82 and 83, is moved through the opening 22. The movement effects longitudinal movement of the channels 30 which are carried by the frame 45 with respect to the comer elements 15, 16, 17 and 18 which are slidably held at their head ends by the engagement of the slotted guides 26 on the end frame plate 20.

The cam plates 31 by their engagement with the camming edges 33 cause the pair of corner elements 15 and 16 to move transversely outwardly while the cam plates 34 by their engagement with the camming edges 36 cause the pair of corner elements 17 and 18 to move transversely outwardly.

The respective pairs of corner elements 15. 16 and l7. 18, or 16, 17 and 15, 18, can be retracted by a reverse of the operations previously described.

The adjustment of the respective pairs of corner elements is independent so that a square or rectangular supporting mandrel of the desired dimensioning is quickly obtainable.

The cores used in winding and mounted on the mandrel are not part of the invention. It will be clear however that the desired shape and size of core can be readily mounted on the mandrel upon separation from its support by the tail stock 13, and that upon completion of the winding of the coil on the core, the mandrel can be contracted transversely and the completed coil can be easily removed.

I claim:

1. An adjustable mandrel comprising a plurality of pairs of elongated corner elements providing exterior surfaces for said mandrel, and

adjustable supporting means for said corner elements comprising first members for transversely separating opposite pairs of said comer elements, and

second members of independently transversely separating different opposite pairs of said corner elements,

said supporting means including an interior frame and supports movably mounted with respect to said frame and in which said corner elements are carried, and

said first members including cam members for transversely separating said supports and the corner elements carried thereby.

2. An adjustable mandrel as defined in claim 1 in which said frame member has a cam bar carried thereby,

said cam bar is longitudinally movable with respect to said frame member, and

said cam members include interengaging portions on said cam bar and on said supports.

3. An adjustable mandrel as defined in claim 2 in which a rotatable member is provided at one end of said frame member for controlling the longitudinal positioning of said cam bar.

4. An adjustable mandrel as defined in claim 2 in which each of said supports has certain of said interengaging portions thereon.

5. An adjustable mandrel as defined in claim 1 in which said means includes an interior frame member and supports mounted on said frame member and on which said corner elements are carried, and

said second members include cam members for transversely separating said supports and the corner elements carried 1 thereby.

6. An adjustable mandrel as defined in claim Sin which said corner members are relatively longitudinally movable with respect to said frame member.

7. An adjustable mandrel as defined in claim Sin which said cam members include interengaging portions on said supports and said comer portions.

8. An adjustable mandrel as defined in claim Sin which a rotatable member is provided at one end of said frame member for controlling the relative longitudinal positioning of said frame member and said corner elements.

9. An adjustable mandrel as defined in claim 3 in which said second members include cam members for transversely separating said supports and the corner elements carried thereby,

said corner elements are relatively longitudinally movable with respect to said frame member,

said cam members of said second members include interengaging portions on said supports and said corner elements, and a second rotatable member is provided at one end of said frame member for controlling the relative longitudinal positioning of said frame member and said corner elements. 

1. An adjustable mandrel comprising a plurality of pairs of elongated corner elements providing exterior surfaces for said mandrel, and adjustable supporting means for said corner elements comprising first members for transversely separating opposite pairs of said corner elements, and second members of independently transversely separating different opposite pairs of said corner elements, said supporting means including an interior frame and supports movably mounted with respect to said frame and in which said corner elements are carried, and said first members including cam members for transversely separating said supports and the corner elements carried thereby.
 2. An adjustable mandrel as defined in claim 1 in which said frame member has a cam bar carried thereby, said cam bar is longitudinally movable with respect to said frame member, and said cam members include interengaging portions on said cam bar and on said supports.
 3. An adjustable mandrel as defined in claim 2 in which a rotatable member is provided at one end of said frame member for controlling the longitudinal positioning of said cam bar.
 4. An adjustable mandrel as defined in claim 2 in which each of said supports has certain of said interengaging portions thereon.
 5. An adjustable mandrel as defined in claim 1 in which said means includes an interior frame member and supports mounted on said frame member and on which said corner elements are carried, and said second members include cam members for transversely separating said supports and the corner elements carried thereby.
 6. An adjustable mandrel as defined in claim 5 in which said corner members are relatively longitudinally movable with respect to said frame member.
 7. An adjustable mandrel as defined in claim 5 in which said cam members include interengaging portions on said supports and said corner portions.
 8. An adjustable mandrel as defined in claim 5 in which a rotatable member is provided at one end of said frame member for controlling the relative longitudinal positioning of said frame member and said corner elements.
 9. An adjustable mandrel as defined in claim 3 in which said second members include cam members for transversely separating said supports and the corner elements carried thereby, said corner elements are relatively longitudinally movable with respect to said frame member, said cam members of said second members include interengaging portions on said supports and said corner elements, and a second rotatable member is provided at one end of said frame member for controlling the relative longitudinal positioning of said frame member and said corner elements. 